ribibe

plural ribibes · alternative rubebe · alternative rybybe

1. historicalA kind of stringed instrument; a rebec or an instrument similar to it.

   Well, my friend, and where is your ribibe, or such like instrument, belonging to a minstrel?

   1841, Maria Elizabeth Budden, True Stories from English History. Chronologically Arranged

   5 more examples

   "The tones of lutes and ribibes [translating German Ribeben] I have right masterly and fine As ordered by imperial might.

   1850, “Augustin, court musician to the emperor Maximilian I.”, in Hugh James Rose, editor, A New General Biographical Dictionary, volume 2

   The tone of the rubebe was similar to that of the lower register of the modern viola. As it possessed but two strings, however, its range was necessarily limited.

   1880, Emil Naumann, translated by F. Praeger, The History of Music, volume 1, pages 258–259

   The Rybybe is well portrayed among the Norman carvings of the twelfth century which adorn the south doorway of Barfreston Church in Kent (Plate XV).

   1911, Francis William Galpin, Old English Instruments of Music, page 81

   Over the high-altar at Gloucester the bosses, which are foliated in the rest of the choir, represent angel-musicians, whose varied orchestra would have out-rivalled that of Nebuchadnezzar the King; harp, hutchet and psaltery; lute, clarion, shawm; bag-pipe, ribibe, gittern; bozine, symphony, cymbals; organ, tabor and timbrel, the very names ring in one's ears like the stately cadences of celestial music.

   1935, Mary Désirée Anderson, The Medieval Carver, page 86

   The rebec or ribibe, a favourite instrument with Chaucer, may be counted as one of the precursors of our violin.

   1937, Philip K. Hitti, History of The Arabs

   Synonyms: ribible

2. derogatoryobsoleteAn old woman.
3. obsoleteA bawd; a prostitute.

   Or some good ribibe about Kentish Town or Hogsden, you would hang now for a witch

   1616, Ben Jonson, The Devil Is an Ass